Transcript Chapter 5: The Enlightenment

Chapter 5: The
Enlightenment
Section I: Philosophy in the Age of
Reason
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Prior to the Enlightenment era, the Church
and members of nobility made decisions as
to what was acceptable and proper in terms
of society and government.
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Soon people began to realize that through
the use of reason, people in government
could solve every social, political, and
economic problem.
I. Scientific Revolution Sparks the
Enlightenment
A. Natural Law – Laws of conduct discoverable
by reason.
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Science proved that there were natural laws that
covered gravity, and magnetism.
Therefore, they should be able to use natural laws
to better understand social, economic, and
political problems.
Great thinkers reasoned that if science could solve
scientific problems, then those same methods
could be used to solve other types of issues
The Scientific Revolution
led to a new era of
thinking called The
Enlightenment Era –
A new era of thought
where people used
science and reasoning
to answer questions
about many issues
facing people..rather
than leaning on nobility
or clergy to solve issues.
II. Hobbes and Locke have
Conflicting Views
A.
Thomas Hobbes – Enlightenment era
thinker and author of “Leviathan”.
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Said that people were naturally
greedy, cruel, and selfish and if they
were not strictly controlled they
would fight, rob, and oppress one
another.
He further stated that without strong
leadership life would be “brutish”
Social Contract – An agreement
where people agree to give up certain
freedoms to live in an organized
society.
Hobbes believed that only a powerful
government could ensure and
orderly society.
Example: An Absolute Monarchy where
order would be imposed and obedience
demanded.
B. John Locke – Enlightenment era
thinker and author of “Two Treaties
of Government”.
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Argued that people form
governments to protect their natural
rights.
Natural Rights – Rights that
belonged to humans from birth.
Believed that the best form of
government was had limited power
and was accepted by all citizens.
Did not believe in an Absolute
Monarchy.
Had radical ideas…
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Government has an obligation to the
people they govern.
If government fails to protect the
natural rights then the people have
the right to overthrow the
government.
Locke’s ideas would be a major part
of the American Revolution.
III. The Philosophes
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Philosophes –
Enlightenment era
thinkers who believed
they could apply the
methods of science to
understand and improve
society.
A. Montesquieu Advances the Idea
of Separation of Powers
1. Baron de Montesquieu –
Early and influential thinker
of the enlightenment era.
2.
Author of The Spirit of the
Laws - Discussion of
governments throughout
history.
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felt the best way to protect
liberty was to divide the
various functions and
powers of the government
among three branches
(legislative, executive, and
judicial).
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Each branch should serve as
a check on the other two.
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This book became a very
strong part of the foundation
of American democracy.
B. Voltaire Defends Freedom of
Thought
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Voltaire = Francois-Marie
Arouet
Used his pen to voice his
sharp wit to attack unjust
governments. Attacked what
he thought was unfair in
society.
Angered the French
government and Catholic
Church..was imprisoned and
eventually exiled from
France.
Regarded as one of the most
influential of the
philosophes.
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Philosophers of the Enlightenment Video
Clip (3:23)
C. Dierdot Edits the Encyclopedia
1. Denis Dierdot – Wrote a 28 volume of books
known as the Encyclopedia.
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contained articles by leading thinkers of the
times
The French government claimed the book was
an attack on public morals and the Catholic
Church threatened to excommunicate
Catholics who read it.
D. Rousseau Promotes the Social
Contract
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John-Jacques
Rousseau – Believed
that people in their
natural state are
basically good.
BUT they eventually
became corrupted by
the evils of society.
Believed that the good
of society should be
above individual
interests.
IV. New Economic Thinking
A.
B.
Physiocrats – French Philosophes who
focused their energies on economic reforms
based on natural law.
Laissez Faire Replaces Mercantilism
* laissez faire – French term that loosely
means “Let the people do as they wish”.
* during this era it meant to allow businesses
to operate with little or no interference.
C. Smith Argues for a Free Market
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What is supply and Demand
Video Clip (5:58)
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Adam Smith – Scottish
economist who believed in
the ideas of a free market
system.
Author of “The Wealth of
Nations”.
Believed that the free market
should be allowed to
regulate business activity.
Tried to show how supply
and demand controlled
manufacturing, trade,
profits, and economic
growth.
He supported laissez faire,
but said that government
had the duty to protect
society and administer
justice.
Section II: Enlightenment Ideas
Spread
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Paris, France was the heart
of the Enlightenment and the
ideas birthed there spread
throughout Europe and the
rest of the world..
I. New Ideas Challenge Society
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Thinkers around the world read Dierdo’s
“Encyclopedia” and the many pamphlets that
floated throughout Europe.
During the Middle Ages, people blindly
accepted what the Church taught as fact.
People now were questioning the Church’s ideas
A. Writers Face Censorship
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censorship – Restricting access to ideas and
information.
Many government and church leaders felt obligated to
protect and preserve the “old order” or past ways of
doing things.
To do this, they banned or burned books and even had
Enlightenment Era writers imprisoned.
Many writers of the era often hid their lessons in works
of fiction.
B. Ideas Spread in Salons
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Salons – Informal social
gatherings of writers,
artists, philosophes and
others who exchanged
ideas.
Middle class citizens
could meet with nobility
on equal ground to
spread the ideas of the
Enlightenment.
II. Arts and Literature Reflect New
Ideas
A. From Grandeur to Charm
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Baroque – Artistic style that features huge colorful art
in the Greek and Roman tradition.
glorified ancient battles and the lives of saints.
Rococo – Artistic style that was lighter, brighter, and
more elegant.
Moved away from religious tones and into anything
other than religious. Considered superficial by many,
but still better than Baroque
Baroque Vs Rococo
. Enlightenment Ideas Inspire
Composers
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Classical music – New
musical style that came
about and soon
dominated European life.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
– German composer who
wrote many operas and
musical pieces.
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Bach’s Influence on
Music (3:38)
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Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart – Child prodigy
who became well known
throughout Europe.
The music of the
composers of this era
lives on today.
Mozart Clip (3:56)
III. Enlightened Despots Embrace
New Ideas
A.
Enlightened Despots – Absolute rulers who
used their powers to bring about political and
social change.
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These Monarchs supported the Enlightenment
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Others did not accept these ideas and tried to stifle
them.
B. Frederick II Attempts Reform
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Frederick II – Also known
as Frederick the Great
during his reign as King of
Prussia.
Saw himself as a servant of
the state
Openly praised the writing
of Enlightenment thinkers
even inviting them to visit
with him.
Desired a more strong rule
for himself personally, but
got rid of torture and
religious persecution in his
kingdoms.
C. Catherine the Great Studies
Philosophes Works
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Empress of Russia in
1762
LOVED the works of
Enlightenment
authors..even exchanging
correspondence.
abolished torture, made
limited reforms to laws
and governments,
ordered religious
tolerance.
STILL not interested in
anything that limited her
real power.
D. Joseph II Continues Reform
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Monarch of Austria who traveled in disguise in his own
empire to learn of the problems of his people.
Supported religious equality for Protestants & Jews in
his Catholic Empire.
Ended censorship by granting freedom of press.
Brought Catholic Church under control..and sold much
of their properties.
abolished serfdom
Many of these reforms were abolished once he died.
IV. Lives of the Majority Change
Slowly
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Most Europeans were untouched by middle
class or nobility class…which were the smallest
groups in society.
Most Europeans lived as peasants
By the late 1700’s and early 1800’s ideas of
equality and social justice had begun to creep
into peasant villages.
Many peasants were actually not in a hurry to
make the changes that came about…why?